Reflections on a Missed Opportunity: The Last Minute Intensity of an Exam

Not long ago, I was participating in an Advance Technical Communication exam. The 100-point paper required 3 hours of dedicated effort, yet even to this day, I haven't managed to obtain the necessary textbook from the library. Moreover, throughout the entire semester, I failed to attend most of the classes.

A Late Night of Remedial Learning

The night before the exam, without any preparation, I approached one of my classmates to send me pictures of the textbook contents. Once I received the images, I immediately shut down all my apps and turned to Wikipedia and Google to gather more information. I found the subject so compelling that I couldn't stop reading, and this continued until morning.

The Stirring of Intensity

It was 9:30 AM when I entered the exam hall. Prior to receiving the paper, I was gripped with anxiety about falling asleep during the exam. Yet, as soon as I received the paper, I began diligently crafting my answers in my own words. At times, I had to re-examine the questions to ensure I understood them fully.

Intense Moments and Time Management

Unexpectedly, I heard someone shout, 'You all have only 2 minutes left.' At that moment, I had just completed one of the questions. When I looked at the question number, I was astonished to realize that I had answered all the questions, including the final one worth 5 marks. Before submitting the paper to the invigilator, I flipped back to the last page to verify my work. I left one question unanswered and wasn't satisfied with the time constraints.

As I reviewed the exam paper, I felt a sense of relief—a sense that I hadn't squandered my effort and sacrifice for such a short moment. The brief time I spent in the exam hall, despite my previous apprehensions, felt like the most important and impactful moment of my academic journey. This realization is what I miss the most. Every time I look back, I am reminded of the immense intensity and motivation that briefly took over my life during those critical 3 hours.

A Lasting Reflection

No matter how much we might despise that place in the last moment, there is an emotional attachment that ties us to it. This attachment is what we miss the most. It is a short-lived but intensely memorable experience that highlights the passion and dedication we have toward our goals. My reflection on this experience serves as a testament to the power and intensity of the exam preparation and success journey. It is these fleeting moments that shape our academic lives and leave a lasting impression on our minds.

Thank you for sharing in my journey and the lessons learned from a missed opportunity.